It's not just in the UK... I went to the grocery store yesterday,
thinking to avoid the rush... oh silly me. It was early in the
morning, and still the parking lot was full. As luck had it, a spot
opened up for me *just* as I got to it. I spent more than usual, mainly
because a few staples we use were on sale, so I stocked up. I also
splurged in the deli on a 1/2 pound of wafer-thin-sliced Smithfield Ham
- it just doesn't seem like Christmas in Virginia without Oyster Stew
and Smithfield Ham biscuits! I realize now that I should have only
gotten 1/4 pound!! Oh well... it can be frozen. I noticed that the
store had an unusually large supply of cakes and pies and specialty
cookies... a lot of which will end up either sold at deep discounts
after Christmas, or... donated to the local "soup kitchen". So the
homeless and hungry will eat well next week! For that, we can be thankful!!
We're planning a very low-key holiday this year. I've planned brunch
for Christmas Day, and DS and his son will come over. But we're not
planning on any traveling, and I am actually happy to spend a few
relaxing days with DH just staying home. He will be expanding our
wireless network in the house so there aren't any dead zones - I'm
looking forward to that!! (Did I say relaxing? By the time he is done
with this, he'll be anything but relaxed!!) There are a few technical
mysteries to be resolved, but I'm confident he can do it.
Meanwhile, my lacemaking has taken a back-seat for the past month or
so! In October, we lost our precious old kitty (cancer), and I grieved
as though he were my own child!! Finally, I could not stand the void
any longer, and began to explore the cat rescue sources on the
internet. I finally went to our local animal shelter, and there spotted
a precious kitten. But, I knew DH was opposed to having another cat (he
commented that having pets makes it difficult to be spontaneous with
travel...). So, I did not "adopt" him on the spot. But several days
later, when I could not get him out of my mind, I went back, and he was
still there!!! I was elated, and adopted him right then and there!
We've had him for a month, and he has survived neutering and all of his
shots, and at his last visit to the vet, he had gained a pound and a
half - in just one month!! He will be a big boy... And he is such a
love-muffin!! HOWEVER, we dare not put up a Christmas Tree, because he
would destroy it in fairly short order. Next year, he should be more
subdued. Meanwhile, he keeps us highly amused. And.... BTW... DH is
as smitten with him as I am, so all is well in that respect.
"Mr. Giggs" has a favorite spot in the house. It is at the window seat
which looks out at several bird feeders. My lace pillow is beside it,
and takes advantage of the light. So, while I make lace, he either
sleeps or watches the birds. "Giggs" is pronounced "Jiggs"... he has
this name because, quite frankly, he is a Gigolo!
Hope everyone celebrates this season in the way that pleases them the
most! I wish good health and, considering the financial climate, a
reasonable measure of solvency to everyone!!
Clay
Clay Blackwell
Lynchburg, VA, USA
Sue Duckles wrote:
Oh Jean, can I join you on that soap box please??
I too am not religious, and although I'll wish people a merry
christmas (yes with small letters) I too much prefer 'Greetings of the
Season'! When I worked in the local shop we were only closed on
Christmas Day, AND one of the other shops in the village opened for a
few hours even on Christmas Day!! So, I could never work out why
people had to spend an arm and a leg on food before Christmas and
again on Boxing Day!!! (I suppose ours is not to reason why....)
Maybe we should join 'Grumpy Old Women' (shall we start a group
amongst Arachneans??) And then they're telling us on the TV that
there's an economic downturn.... hmmmm, don't think that includes
food....
We're off out for dinner on Thursday, courtesy of my Mother in Law,
then we'll pop to see my daughter & her boyfriend, but I won't be
drinking, I've to drive!! (Well, someone has to....) Had to take MIL
out today for a palm for Chris for Thursday, everywhere was heaving!
Then, when I got home I found that an aunt had called to say my Uncle
'passed this mortal coil' at the end of November! (They only live in
Hull and still didn't let me know.... at least I know where I stand
with most of my Family!)
Anyway, I'm off the soapbox, anyone else want to take my place?
Sue in EY (in a Christmas free house!!)
On 23 Dec 2008, at 09:56, Jean Nathan wrote:
Went down to the hospital this morning for my monthly blood test.
Left home at 7.30am, and the big Tesco supermarket car park near my
home was already nearly full. By the time I came back at 8.30am,
there were cars queuing to get into the car park, and the shops are
open again tomorrow. Just how much can people eat?
The supermarkets are only closing on Christmas Day and Boxing Day,
but even last week trolleys were piles so high you'd think there was
going to be a month long siege, and that's in addition to what
they've been buying in the way of biscuits, sweets, alcohol and other
stuff that will keep, since the beginning of September.
To my way of thinking (which is obviously wrong), if some people are
buying that amount, there must be at least an equal number not buying
anything. I really don't understand people who stuff themselves with
food and get paralytic drunk over the Christmas period.
There must be an awful lot of waste food going into landfills, when
many people in the world are starving. I know what's in our
supermarkets can't help them, but it does still seem morally wrong to
me.
I'm not religious, and get quite cross when strangers assume that
everyone's a Christian and celebrates Christmas and wish me a Merry
Christmas. In the supermarket last week, a woman tried to push me out
of the way because she was impatient. When I didn't move she said
sarcastically "And a Merry Christmas to you!" I know it was wrong
(particularly because I'm not Jewish, and I apologise to those of you
who are), but I immediately responded with "And a Happy Hanukkah to
you.", which left her looking very perplexed. The older I get, the
grumpier I get, especially at the commercialisation of it all.
And as for snow, we had one fine sprinkling about 6 or 7 years ago
which settled for about an hour, for which I'm very grateful having
been snowed in frequently when we lived on top of the hills in Somerset.
Gets off soapbox.
Having got that off my chest, Season's Greetings from me to all of
you and whatever you celebrate around this time of year, and
greetings to you if you don't celebrate anything at all.
Jean in Poole, Dorset, UK
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